MR O’REILLY’S MEETING.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume III, Issue 501, 25 November 1881, Page 2

MR O’REILLY’S MEETING.

To the Editor. Sib, — I should feel obliged if you would permit mo to make a few remarks respecting Mr O’Reilly’s meeting at the Town Hall. During his address he twice referred to me in a manner which was at once offensive and contrary to fact. I retaliated in a manner which you say “ was certainly not in good taste.” If it be not in good taste for a man to defend himself when wantonly attacked, what sort of taste is it for a gentleman to use a public platform for the gratification of private spleen ? As you express an opinion on my taste, perhaps you would have no objection to do the same on Mr O’Reilly’s. Under the circumstances, I believe no man would consider taste at all, except to give the culprit a taste of his tongue. At this meeting I had nothing to do with politics, and still have nothing; but I cannot permit any man to insult me on a public platform without defending myself, whatever your opinion of my taste may be. I said nothing about Mr O Reilly’s supporters, as I believed ho bad none ; and if he had, they gave me no chance of complaint. In fact the whole matter was a private squabble forced on me by Mr O’Reilly through lua uncalled-for and wanton remarks. I do not care how many candidates there may be, nor who the successful one may be, as I take little nor no interest in politics All the other candidates have the good taste and courtesy not to seiect one of their bearers for misrepresentation. Mr O’Reilly is an unenviable exception. I have already occupied too much time with so paltry an affair.—l am, etc., B. Hughes. Nov. 24,1881. [We willingly publish our corresponddeut’s letter, but our opinion as to the had taste displayed at Mr O’Reilly’s meeting, was merely in reference to his disparaging the latter ; when simply refuting his remarks would have satisfied the meeting. —Ed. (?.]